Maria Betty Paula Fries

November 25, 1924 to July 27, 2016

Maria Paula Baduria Fries, nickname “Betty,” 91, of Sacramento passed away on July 27, 2016, encircled by her loving family. She was born in Naga, Camarines Sur Province, Luzon, Philippines to Marikita Miras and Marciano Tria Baduria. Maria was a devoted wife and beloved mother and grandmother. During World War II, Maria moved to Manila, where she completed secretarial school and began to work for the city government. She and her brother were excellent dancers and frequently asked to perform at parties.

On June 23, 1945, Maria met her future husband, Lieutenant Richard Charles Fries of Chicago, Illinois, who was stationed in Manila. Richard, a devout Catholic, was attending a religious procession for St. John the Baptist when he saw Maria, donning her Filipino dress with butterfly sleeves. In the procession, Maria was representing a street from the suburb where she and her family lived. A friend introduced Richard to Maria at the dance that followed. When Richard was walking Maria home later that night, he bought a cage with two Maya birds, which he purposefully left at Maria’s house as an excuse to visit her. Married on June 23, 1946 at the San Sebastian Church in Manila, their marriage became a long, loving union of 57 years, resulting in six children, fourteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family left the Philippines for Rome, NY on December 25, 1959 after Richard was transferred from Clark Air Force Base. They then moved to Oklahoma City, OK in 1963, and in 1973, Richard and Maria settled in Sacramento, CA. Maria worked outside the home when necessary to help contribute to their children’s educational expenses. After their retirement, Maria remained lively and vivacious, cooking delicious Filipino dishes for family gatherings and sewing matching Christmas sweatshirts annually for her large progeny. She and Richard became very active in the Legion of Mary, and Maria served twelve years as the President for the Diocese. After Richard’s death in 2003, Maria, always courageous and creative, began taking computer classes at the Ethel MacLeod Hart Senior Center. She used her skills to maintain a close-knit bond with her children and grandchildren, sending them emails and beautiful cards that she made on the computer.

Survivors include Maria and Richard’s six children, Eileen Johnston of Sacramento, Robert Fries, J.D. of Bartlesville, OK, Jeanette Byrne, M.L.S. and M.T.S. of Fort Worth, TX, Margaret Bauman, M.S. of Atlanta, GA, Laurie Ellen Andrews, J.D. of Napa, and Mary Andert of Eagan, MN and their spouses, Victoria Fries, Kevin Byrne, J.D., Stuart Bauman, Daniel Eddins Andrews III, M.D., and Jim Andert. Other survivors are Maria and Richard’s fourteen grandchildren: Robert Fries, J.D. of Bartlesville, Jay Fries of St. Louis, MO, Erin Barnes, J.D. of Fort Worth, Sean Byrne of Dallas, Caitlin Byrne Milligan, M.Phil. of Fort Worth, Brynn Byrne of Fort Worth, Peter Bauman of Washington, D.C., Paul Bauman of Athens, GA, Megan Tria Blu Wakpa, M.A. and M.F.A. of Vallejo, Averyl Elizabeth Andrews Yaco, M.B.A. of San Francisco, Lauren Andrea Skoczenski of Portland, ME, Daniel Eddins Andrews IV of Napa, Ryan Andert of Minneapolis, MN and Blake Andert of Eagan and their spouses, Carolyn Jagel Fries, M.S., Lucy Fries, Brett Barnes, J.D., Haley Byrne, R.N., Zac Milligan, R.N., Ashley Pierce Bauman, Makha Blu Wakpa, Ph.D., Benjamin Timothy Yaco, Peter Alan Skoczenski, and Kimberly Ann Aquino Andrews. In addition are thirteen great-grandchildren.

To celebrate Maria’s life, a rosary and visitation will occur from 4-8 p.m., Tuesday, August 2 at the Harry A. Nauman & Son mortuary. Funeral mass will be held from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Wednesday, August 3 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Internment at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery will follow.